Health Professions Advisory Council

The Health Professions Advisory Council (HPAC) inquires into and advises the Minister of Health on matters related to The Regulated Health Professions Act (RHPA), including referrals made by the Minister of applications submitted by unregulated health professions for designation as a self-regulating profession under the RHPA.

Members of HPAC are appointed by the Lieutenant-Governor in Council. In formulating its advice to the Minister, HPAC seeks information and comment from members of the public, stakeholders, health profession regulatory colleges and organizations, and conducts research and engages persons or organizations with technical and subject-matter expertise.

The members of the Health Professions Advisory Council are:

  • Arthur Stacey (Chair)
  • Karen Holden
  • Balex Kabamba
  • Sherwood Armbruster
  • Susan Boulter

The RHPA sets out criteria that HPAC is to consider in investigating an application. For information on the established criteria, please see the Application Process for Requests under The Regulated Health Professions Act (Appendix 1 Questionnaire to be completed by professions seeking regulation under The Regulated Health Professions Act). Following completion of its review, HPAC will submit its report with recommendations to the Minister of Health, in accordance with the RHPA.

Current Consultations

On May 13, 2021, the Federation of Associations of Counselling Therapists of Manitoba (FACT-Manitoba) submitted its application for self-regulation of Counselling Therapy in Manitoba. The application has been referred by the Minister of Health to the HPAC for investigation to provide advice regarding whether or not it is in the public interest to regulate Counselling Therapy in Manitoba under the RHPA.

As part of their review, HPAC completed the first phase of their public consultations from December 7, 2021 to February 28, 2022, with over 200 responses received from members of the public, health authorities and organizations, regulatory colleges, counselling therapy services, community mental health organizations, addictions organizations, private insurance organizations, psychological professional associations, professional associations and other organizations. Participating individuals were asked to review FACT-Manitoba's application and comment on the regulation of Counselling Therapy in general and respond to FACT-Manitoba's completed application. HPAC wishes to thank all participants for their valuable contribution to the first phase.

HPAC has launched the next phase of consultation with participants who submitted an initial response. All participating organizations, individuals and FACT-Manitoba are now being provided with the opportunity to electronically access and view a copy of all written submissions. Following their review of other participants' responses, they are asked to provide any additional written comments they may have regarding any of the submissions from other participants. Personal information has been removed from individual responses in accordance with The Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (Manitoba). All submissions must be received no later than the deadline of Tuesday, May 31, 2022.

Following the review and analysis of all written submissions, HPAC will inform participants if a virtual public hearing is deemed necessary. If a public hearing is arranged, HPAC will invite participants and direct presentation proceedings.

Reports